You don’t want to overwhelm the bird with dozens of toys; rather, a couple toys in the cage to start are fine. Again, if there are familiar toys from the bird’s last environment to place in the new cage, that’s great. If the bird didn’t have those, then offer him or her a couple of […]
Adding Objects to Your Pet Birds Cage Číst více »
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, fires, mudslides – all are natural disasters that no one can be completely prepared for. Yet, with a little preparation, exotic pet owners can try to be ready. Preparing for a natural disaster can be overwhelming and frightening. It is hard
Tips for Bird and Small Mammal Owners on Preparing for Natural Disasters/Emergencies Číst více »
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Summer is here, and it’s time to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, barbeque with friends, and take pets outside to enjoy the weather, too. But taking pets outside – especially if they have thick fur coats or if they fly – can be dangerous for
How to Get Your Exotic Pets Ready for Summer Číst více »
By Dr. Laurie Hess | Director of Pet Health and Nutrition at ZuPreem Birds are phenomenal creatures that can make great pets under the right circumstances. They are available from stores, breeders, and rescue organizations around the world. Unfortunately, too many people see birds in stores, on television, or in friends’ homes and decide they
What Should I Expect When Adopting A New Bird Číst více »
Ideally, bird owners should take their pet birds to the vet at least once a year for checkup. In some cases, emergency vet visits may be necessary. In this video, Dr. Laurie Hess talks about some common bird behaviors or actions that may require a veterinarian’s attention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8upVvk5ufO0 Watch When To Take Your Pet Bird
When To Take Your Pet Bird to the Vet Číst více »
Are birds good pets with children? Can kids and pet birds get along? We hear questions like these all the time. The short answer is „Sometimes.“ Dr. Laurie and her caique, Elmo, talks about how she raised her kids with pet birds in the video below. Follow along for tips including… Introducing your pet bird
Raising Children and Pet Birds in the Same Household Číst více »
What do I do if my bird is plucking out feathers? Is over-preening a sign that my bird is sick or unhappy? Preening feathers is a normal bird behavior. Molting is normal. However, aggressively picking feathers to the point that the bird has bare spots or uneven plumage is cause for concern. Our avian expert,
Feather Picking In Pet Birds Číst více »
Can you bring a pet bird into a house with other pets? Absolutely. Should you approach introducing a bird to your other pets with caution? Yes. Dogs and cats are natural predators, and your bird would be prey in the wild. If approached properly, your pet bird and dog and cat can get along just
Introducing Your Bird to Other Pets in the Home Číst více »
Just like any other pet, your pet bird may need special accommodations as it ages, from changes in diet to more accessible perches in their cage. In this video, avian expert Dr. Laurie Hess shares the changes she has made to keep her 24-year-old blue-headed pionus happy and healthy: https://youtu.be/gWnE0ZjuWds VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Hi, I’m Dr.
Caring For Older Birds Číst více »
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Happy vacation season! While summer is the perfect time to take a trip, it’s important to create a game plan for your pet during your travels. Whether you’re voyaging on a cross-country road trip or escaping to a relaxing resort, keep these tips in mind for
Preparing Your Bird For Travel Číst více »
